6 Days • 5 Nights
Panama Canal & the City: Locks, Casco Viejo & Rainforest
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- The mighty Panama Canal at the Miraflores Locks is the unforgettable centrepiece of this journey. At the Miraflores Locks visitor centre you stand on a viewing terrace as giant container ships and cruise liners are raised and lowered between the oceans, an astonishing spectacle of scale and precision more than a century in the making. An excellent museum and film tell the epic, dramatic story of the canal's construction, the vision, the struggle against disease and jungle, and its transformation of world trade. You may also see the new expanded locks and cruise a stretch of the waterway on Gatun Lake, gliding past rainforest islands.
- Beautiful colonial Casco Viejo and the ancient ruins of Panama Viejo are a fascinating highlight of this journey. Casco Viejo, the atmospheric old quarter of Panama City and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a beguiling maze of cobbled streets, leafy plazas, pastel colonial and French-era buildings, baroque churches, rooftop bars and boutique cafes, all framed by the gleaming modern skyline across the bay. You wander its squares, admire the golden altar of San Jose, and soak up its romance and history. Nearby, at Panama Viejo, you explore the evocative ruins of the original city, founded in 1519 and sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan.
- A rainforest journey to meet an Embera indigenous community is a memorable highlight of this journey. Within an hour of the skyscrapers, the Chagres National Park protects lush rainforest that feeds the canal, and here the Embera, one of Panama's indigenous peoples, live along the rivers much as they have for generations. You travel by traditional dugout canoe up a jungle river, past waterfalls and dense forest alive with birds and butterflies, to an Embera village, where you are warmly welcomed with music, dance, a meal of fish and plantain, and displays of their fine basketry and woodcarving. You learn about their culture and way of life.
- The Spanish colonial forts and Afro-Caribbean heritage of Portobelo are a fascinating highlight of this journey. On the Caribbean coast, the small town of Portobelo was once one of the most important ports in the Spanish Empire, where the treasure of the Americas was gathered and shipped to Spain, and its great stone forts, cannon and customs house, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still guard the bay. You explore these atmospheric ruins, learn of pirates like Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake, who is buried in the bay, and discover the vibrant Afro-Caribbean Congo culture and the revered Black Christ of Portobelo.
- Cosmopolitan Panama City, where a gleaming skyline meets rainforest and the sea, is a vibrant highlight of this journey. Panama's capital is one of the most dynamic and surprising cities in the Americas, a forest of glittering skyscrapers rising above the Pacific, yet within minutes of rainforest, the canal and colonial history. You take in the dramatic skyline from the causeway, visit the striking Biomuseo designed by Frank Gehry celebrating Panama's astonishing biodiversity, stroll the seafront and the old town, and savour a cosmopolitan dining and cafe scene that reflects the country's role as a global crossroads.
- Above all, this journey offers an accessible, varied and rewarding taste of Panama from its dynamic capital. Panama City is one of the most surprising cities in the Americas, and this relaxed journey, based in the capital, immerses you in the great canal, colonial history, rainforest and Caribbean coast, all easily reached from the city. Over six days you stand beside the canal, wander colonial Casco Viejo and the ruins of Panama Viejo, meet an Embera community in the rainforest, and explore the forts of Portobelo, all at an easy, comfortable pace and warmed by Panama's friendly welcome.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your journey begins as your flight arrives at Panama City's Tocumen International Airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the cosmopolitan capital. Panama City is one of the most dynamic and surprising cities in the Americas, a forest of gleaming skyscrapers rising above the Pacific, yet within minutes of the canal, colonial history and rainforest, and its energy and warmth are immediately appealing. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your journey, perhaps taking a first stroll along the seafront causeway with its dramatic skyline views, or relaxing at your hotel. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the delicious flavours of Panamanian cuisine and to the journey ahead through the canal, the old town and the rainforest. As you settle in, the vibrant energy of Panama works its magic. Rest well, ready to experience the great canal tomorrow.
Today you experience the mighty Panama Canal, one of the world's greatest engineering feats. You visit the Miraflores Locks visitor centre, standing on the viewing terrace as giant container ships and cruise liners are raised and lowered between the oceans, an astonishing spectacle of scale and precision. In the excellent museum you learn the epic, dramatic story of the canal's construction, the vision, the struggle against disease and jungle, and its transformation of world trade, and watch an inspiring film. You may also visit the Agua Clara or expanded locks near Gatun, or take a partial canal boat transit, gliding through the locks and past rainforest islands. The scale and history are awe-inspiring. As the day ends, you return to the city. This evening, savour Panamanian cuisine and the vibrant atmosphere. Rest well, for tomorrow you explore the colonial old town.
Today you explore the colonial heart and modern icons of Panama City. In the morning you wander Casco Viejo, the atmospheric old quarter and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a maze of cobbled streets, leafy plazas and pastel colonial and French-era buildings, framed by the gleaming skyline across the bay. You admire baroque churches, the golden altar of San Jose and the rooftop views, and soak up the boutiques and cafes. You visit Panama Viejo, the evocative ruins of the original city, founded in 1519 and sacked by the pirate Henry Morgan, its cathedral tower still standing, and may see the striking Biomuseo by Frank Gehry, celebrating Panama's astonishing biodiversity. The contrast of colonial charm, ruins and skyscrapers is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your hotel. This evening, savour the city. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey into the rainforest.
Today you journey into the rainforest to meet an Embera indigenous community. You drive to the Chagres National Park, whose lush forest feeds the canal, and board a traditional dugout canoe to travel up a jungle river, past waterfalls and dense forest alive with birds, butterflies and perhaps monkeys, to an Embera village. Here you are warmly welcomed by this indigenous people, who live along the rivers much as they have for generations, with music, dance, a fresh meal of fish and plantain served on banana leaves, and displays of their beautiful basketry and woodcarving. You learn about their culture, medicine and way of life, and may swim in a river pool beneath a waterfall. Warm, respectful and memorable, this is a fascinating cultural encounter. As the day ends, you return to the city. This evening, savour Panama City. Rest well.
Today you journey to the Caribbean coast and the historic forts of Portobelo. You drive across the isthmus, through rainforest and past a stretch of the canal, to the small coastal town of Portobelo, once one of the most important ports in the Spanish Empire, where the treasure of the Americas was gathered for shipping to Spain. You explore its great stone forts, cannon and customs house, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, learning of pirates like Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake, who is buried in the bay, and discover the vibrant Afro-Caribbean Congo culture and the revered Black Christ. You take in the beautiful Caribbean setting and, time permitting, a stretch of coast or the expanded locks at Agua Clara. The history and setting are captivating. As the day ends, you return to the city. This evening, enjoy a final dinner. Rest well.
After a final morning in cosmopolitan Panama City, perhaps a last stroll along the causeway, some souvenir shopping for a mola textile or Panama hat, or a final visit to Casco Viejo, you are transferred to Tocumen International Airport for your onward international departure. You leave having experienced the historic and natural riches of Panama from its dynamic capital, the mighty canal and its great ships, the colonial charm of Casco Viejo and the ruins of Panama Viejo, the warm welcome of an Embera rainforest community, and the Spanish forts and Afro-Caribbean heritage of Portobelo. The images stay vivid long after you land, the giant ships rising in the locks, the pastel plazas of the old town, the dugout canoe on the jungle river, and the sea-washed forts of Portobelo. Panama offers variety, history, nature and genuine warmth in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this fascinating isthmus.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation, a welcome dinner and lunch with an Embera community
- Daily breakfast
- Airport and land transfers in air-conditioned private vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert licensed local guides
- Entrance fees to sites, locks and reserves as per itinerary
- private touring with an expert local guide, a Panama Canal and Miraflores Locks visit, a Casco Viejo and Panama Viejo tour, a Chagres rainforest and Embera village excursion by dugout canoe, a Portobelo forts day trip, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Some lunches and dinners not specified
- Optional experiences and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Most nationalities (including citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia and many others) do not need a visa for tourism and may stay for up to 90 to 180 days; a passport valid for at least three to six months with onward or return travel is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality before you travel
- Currency: Panama uses the US dollar as its everyday currency, officially alongside the Panamanian balboa, which is pegged one-to-one to the dollar and circulates as coins; bring US dollars in small denominations. Cards are widely accepted in Panama City hotels, restaurants and shops, but the San Blas (Guna Yala) islands, small villages and rural areas are cash only, so carry enough cash there. ATMs are common in towns and cities
- Best time to visit: The dry season from mid-December to April brings warm, sunny days ideal for the canal, Panama City, the Caribbean islands, the beaches and the highlands; the green season from May to November brings warm, wet afternoons, lush rainforests, fuller rivers and fewer crowds, and is also excellent, with mornings often bright and clear and whale watching in the Pearl Islands at its best from July to October
- Language & etiquette: Spanish is the official language, and English is widely spoken in Panama City, the canal area and tourism, so travel is easy and rewarding; Panamanians are warm, friendly and relaxed. Panama is richly multicultural, and when visiting the indigenous Guna of San Blas or the Embera of the rainforest, we follow their customs, ask before photographing people, and support their communities respectfully
- Getting around: Touring is by private air-conditioned vehicle with your own guide and driver, with short internal flights (to Bocas del Toro and the Chiriqui highlands) and scenic road and boat transfers between regions; the San Blas islands are reached by 4x4 and boat, and Bocas del Toro is an archipelago explored by water taxi. Roads are generally good, and we build in comfortable timings and the best routes
- Health & safety: Panama is one of the safest and most stable countries in Central America, and travel here is smooth and rewarding; we monitor conditions and follow official advice. Tap water is safe to drink in Panama City and most of the country; use insect repellent in the rainforest and islands, protect against the strong tropical sun, and consider routine travel vaccinations and advice from your doctor before you travel
- Culture & history: Panama sits at the crossroads of the Americas, and its culture blends indigenous (Guna and Embera), Afro-Caribbean (the Congo heritage of Portobelo), Spanish colonial and cosmopolitan canal-era influences. From the colonial old town of Casco Viejo and the ruins of Panama Viejo to the great engineering of the canal, understanding this rich history and diversity deepens any journey through the isthmus
- Power & practicalities: Power is 120V, with US-style type A and B flat-pin plugs, so bring an adapter if needed. Tipping is appreciated for good service, and small tips for guides and drivers are customary. Bring light, breathable clothing, a hat, sun cream, insect repellent, swimwear, comfortable walking shoes, a light rain jacket, and a warmer layer for the cool highlands and cloud forest of Boquete
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panama City a good base for a first visit?
Excellent. Panama City is dynamic, safe and beautifully set between ocean, canal and rainforest, with the great canal, colonial Casco Viejo, pre-Columbian ruins, rainforest and the Caribbean coast all within easy reach for day trips. It is ideal for a first, focused taste of Panama's history, culture and nature, and pairs beautifully with the islands or highlands if you have more time. We can easily extend this journey to include San Blas, Bocas del Toro or the Boquete highlands.
What is the best way to see the canal?
There are several wonderful ways, and we tailor it to you. The Miraflores Locks visitor centre offers close-up viewing terraces, an excellent museum and film, and is the classic experience. You can also visit the expanded Agua Clara locks near Gatun, cruise Gatun Lake among rainforest islands and wildlife, or take a partial transit by boat that actually passes through the locks. We recommend the combination that best suits your interests and the day's ship schedule.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner and selected lunches or dinners at special locations, such as fresh seafood on the San Blas islands or a meal with an Embera community). Panamanian cuisine is varied and delicious, from sancocho (a hearty chicken and root-vegetable soup) and ceviche to fresh Caribbean seafood, patacones (fried plantains), tropical fruit and superb highland coffee, and we usually leave other meals free so you can explore, recommending the best local restaurants at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert licensed local guide and air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group options can be arranged if you prefer. Panama's knowledgeable guides bring the canal, the colonial old town, the rainforests, the islands and the diverse cultures of the isthmus vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit, and a private guide is invaluable for weaving together the country's many highlights.
Do I need a visa for Panama?
Most nationalities, including citizens of the UK, EU, US, Canada and Australia, do not need a visa for tourism and may stay for up to 90 to 180 days. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality and advise on the simple entry process, so arrival is smooth. A passport valid for at least three to six months with proof of onward or return travel is required.
Is Panama safe to visit?
Panama is one of the safest and most stable countries in Central America, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, and travel here is smooth and rewarding. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times. As anywhere, we advise normal sensible precautions with valuables in busy city areas, and the genuine warmth and relaxed spirit of the Panamanian people are among the great joys of a visit.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season from mid-December to April brings warm, sunny days ideal for the canal, Panama City, the Caribbean islands, the beaches and the highlands. The green season from May to November brings warm, wet afternoons, lush rainforests and fewer crowds, with excellent whale watching in the Pearl Islands from July to October. We advise on the best timing for your interests and the regions you wish to see, and tailor the pace to the season.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Panama City and the canal, the San Blas islands, Bocas del Toro, the Boquete highlands, the Pearl Islands, Portobelo and the rainforests, add whale watching, coffee tours or an Embera village visit, upgrade to luxury boutique hotels and island lodges, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through the landscapes and cultures of Panama.
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